Land a deal: Airlines are anticipating a 72 per cent surge in bookings this month. Photo / Getty Images
For air fare bargain hunters, April is the cruellest month.
Outside of Christmas, it's the busiest and most expensive time to fly.
With Easter Sunday falling on April 21st this year and Anzac day the following Thursday airlines are anticipating a rush on last minute bookings.
The smart traveller would have realised that you can get ten days away for just three days annual leave.
However airlines are wise to this expected surge in holiday taking and most have upped their prices in anticipation.
April bookings are already up 72 per cent on last year, and prices have seen a 25 per cent hike across all routes.
It's created the perfect storm for mid-range air fares.
However, we're here to help navigate the fare price surges to land the best deal on a last-minute getaway.
There are some things you can do to get the cheapest fares on an Easter getaway.
Pricing flights is not as random as it might seem. To find the best fares, you must think like an airline.
Webjet's CEO David Galt explains that even during a fare surge there will be patterns that can lead you to the cheapest seats.
"Once you understand how pricing works, you can unlock much better rates - saving money on your flights to spend on enjoying your holiday," says Galt.
Demand for flights drops mid-week, as do prices.
The cheapest day to be heading off on holiday would be Wednesday 17th, ahead of the Easter Weekend.
According to Webjet's pricing data, you could save 27 per cent off the peak prices over Good Friday and Easter weekend.
Yet if you are willing to gamble, there can also be further price reductions by booking at the very last minute.
"For those willing to hold until the very last minute, remember, most airlines tend to launch promotions on Mondays and Tuesdays."
Domestic flights are always going to be cheaper, but the favourite routes are likely to be more costly.
Flying from Auckland to Queenstown could cost you upwards of $294 return.
Why not explore other options? North Island destinations could be your best bet for and Easter budget break.
With a long break booked in, you could fit in a couple of mini getaways rather than an expensive trip overseas.
Last year around 64 per cent of Kiwis booked overseas flights, with 36 per cent choosing domestic. So you might also avoid the crowds by looking round New Zealand.
Palmerston North is a very affordable $168 return, or Wellington from $156.
However, New Plymouth comes out as the cheapest getaway at just $126 return.
Extreme Easter egg rolling in Egmont National Park has never sounded so appealing.
Webjet says mixing the cheapest outbound and inbound flights from two different airlines is "one of the most under-utilised tricks for booking the best flights" - and this trick could save you loads, not just in dollars but time and effort.
While booking a round trip might be less hassle, it's also constrictive on your plans.
Comparing flight schedules from two or more carriers can also find you the most convenient times as well as prices, so you're not stuck to one airline's flight plans.
Predicted by New Zealand's leading travel experts.